Mumbai: BMC to float tenders for construction of two major tunnels

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s ambitious project of providing 24×7 water supply to Mumbaikars has been delayed by over four years. It does seem that the project is picking up pace, as two major proposed tunnels in the 24×7 water supply project named Amar Mahal to Trombay and Amar Mahal to Wadala, tender procedures will start by August.

A senior civic officer from the water supply project department of the BMC said, “This tunnels will replace the old pipelines and will add additional feature to the provisions made.” He said, “Amar Mahal to Trombay tunnel was waiting for no objection certificate from Bombay Atomic Research Centre (BARC), but we have received a nod therefore tender process will start by August.”

The tender process for the second tunnel is Amar Mahal to Parel, which will also start soon. The officer added, “The first tunnel will help tackle the water woes of Trombay area which is currently dependant only on one pipeline which comes from Ghatkopar reservoirs. While the second tunnel will provide option to Tansa pipelines.”

The length of first tunnel is 5.3 km and will cost Rs 3.5 crore and the length of the second tunnel is expected to be 9.7km. “Parel and Wadala are developing and growing pretty fast and that is why the tunnels are being planned in order to help to solve the future water needs of these areas,” the officer added.

Also, the BMC is constructing two major dam projects named ‘Gargai’ and ‘Pinjal’ which are expected to start by December 2018. They are expecting approvals from the Ministry of Forest for land clearance. Also, the Central Water Board approval, Palghar collector’s nod and the approval from the central design department is pending.

The Pinjal dam construction project will affect six villages and 865 families and Gargai dam will affect 190 families. The Gargai dam would provide an additional 440 million litres of water daily and the Pinjal one would supply 865 million litres on a daily basis to the city. Currently, the BMC provides 3,780 million litres of water daily as against the demand of 4,300 million litres.